Fortified Audio’s first release of 2012, Plastic Spokes EP, has Seattle veteran 214 merging his classic electro style with current UK bass flavours to create a tantalising 4 track ep to wreck dancefloors.
001.Features
Sepalcure – Eternally Yrs [SEP002D]
Sepalcure follow up last year’s critically acclaimed LP on Hotflush Recordings with a new EP featuring remixes from Kevin McPhee and Trevino (a.k.a. Marcus Intalex), alongside one previously released album cut and one original track. ‘Eternally Yrs’, originally featured on the LP, makes another appearance on side A, followed up by Trevino’s (Intalex’s moniker for his techno and house projects) upbeat and melodic remix of ‘Hold On’. On the flip, Toronto rising star McPhee turns the classic house sounds of ‘The One’ into a crackly, technodriven subbass tune. Finally, the emotive ‘Don’t Cry’ hits hard with the trademark staccato bass and processed vocals that Sepalcure have come to be known for.
CVBox – Analog Amputations EP [UV011]
Number Eleven on Uncanny Valley focuses on the soundscapes of CVBox. Releasing his first solo record, he’s finally able to express his very specific idea of sound somewhere in between meditative Ambient and compelling Techno on the ‘Analog Amputations EP’. ‘Past the Eclipse’ is shaped by echoing choirs at first and mutates then into a serious Detroit Funk killer for self forgotten Techno dancefloors. ‘Counterflow’ starts to roll with menacing drones but quickly surprises with its optimistic atmosphere and an irresistibly catchy synth flute. The flipside starts off forcefully with the oldschool Techno stomper ‘Droid Swift 836’. After that ‘Orience’ floats in a sea of pads without losing the Funk of the CVBoxes.
Special Request – Deflowered / Lolita [SPECIALREQEP002]
Second in a series of releases based on capturing the energy and culture of UK pirate radio but going way beyond that as the project unwinds. From the first highly coverted 12″, “Lolita” makes a return here, but in a ‘Warehouse Dub’ form, while new track, “Deflowered” is tweaked here by the in-demand Kassem Mosse and joined by Mix.
Floorplan – Altered Ego EP [MPM015]
Now Robert Hood delves back into Floorplan for his next M-Plant release called ‘Altered Ego EP’. The title track jacks out from the onset, just the way we like it! Hood’s distinctive rhythmic grooves are intoxicating as ever. With the staccato vocal cut and Detroit-meets-Chicago feeling, we’re back in ‘Baby Baby’ territory. ‘Confess’ shows the other side to Hood’s Floorplan with an opening gospel style piano riff that’s gradually overlaid with Latin percussion and that special Hood kick, to take the church to the party.
Dario Zenker – Cat Stance [T2X021]
Time To Express welcomes back Dario Zenker for his second release on the label. After 2010’s euphoric ”Insirer” Dario increases the tension with ”Cat Stance”. Label owner Peter Van Hoesen provides a rolling remix.
Maan / Psyk – Trow EP [NON003]
Searle – She Moves EP [MOW011]
Franco Cangelli works out three deeper, dubbier Techno trax backed with a Russ Gabriel remix for Mowar. ‘She Moves’ conducts a svelte motion with thick subbass and crisply contoured rhythms beside the minimal and moody Neo-Detroit atmospheres of ‘Melancholy’ on the A-side. Flipside Russ Gabriel drags ‘She Moves’ down a gear with a submerged overhaul of ‘She Moves’, and ‘Tunnelling’ digs rolling, offset bass gyrations and trippy chord modulations for the late night crew.
Midland – LWE Podcast 122
SP-X – Stalker EP [KOMISCH011]
SP-X drops his third EP for Komisch. The Brussels-based producer serves up three more slices of uncompromising warehouse techno. Lead track ‘The Escape’ has all the SP-X hallmarks – rock hard beats, thundering claps and a swinging groove that underpins eerie riffs and clanking metallic drums‘Stalker’ reveals a more musical slant to SP-X’s sound. It starts off with unsettling riffs, but soon the rolling drum-led arrangement changes tact and provides the backdrop for a growling chord climax. There is a similar concession on ‘Attack Pattern’; bruising doubled-up drums and that unmistakably snappy SP-X percussion combine with subtle snare rolls to create a peak time arrangement. But once again an insistent chord sequence gives it the edge over functional techno.
Gerry Read – Rhino: Records Store Day Edition [ATHXGRXRSD]
Rhino is the latest insight into the prolific mind of the young but all too talented Gerry Read. The producer has grown his own particular style across a choice number of labels such as Fourth Wave, 2nd Drop and most recently Delsin, and this latest release on the aforementioned RAMP offshoot is perhaps Read’s most nightmarish advance through the outskirts of house and techno. “Rhino” is as heavy weight as the animal from which the name originates, thumping into existence with indecipherable vocals twisted rhythmically around a hollow industrialised groove of malformed percussion and drums. In full flow, the track almost seems to creak under the pressure of everything that’s going on but somehow rumbles on. In contrast “All The Time” seems more focused to begin with, drums wound tightly before Read lets loose with his desire to craft all manner of demented layers of sound and vocals.
M-A-E – 665 [EDEC005]
EDEC delivers a slice of raw, heaving techno from M-A-E, with two remixes from the underground mastermind behind New York’s Plan B Recordings, DJ Spider.
Kryptic Universe – JC Michigan EP [LOCKERTMATIK001]
This is the second Lockertmatik release. Another small DIY release in a small run with advanced acid techno tracks with a sharp edge. Challenging and fresh release for true school Acid House jackers.
Population One – I Program My Computer Right [HCS994]
Chymera – Strange Things Are Afoot [CNS0496]
Conforce and Claro Intelectro remixes for Chymera on Connaisseur records. Deep moody and Detroit influenced techno tracks!
Robin Kampschoer – Before The Storm [STUDIOS008]
Myles Serge – Azul [REFORM008]
Uncompromising deeper trippy tracks Techno gear from Myles Serge and Reform. The release includes thee original cuts and a remix by Ozka.
VA – Field 07 [FIELD007]
Keeping up the Detroit sound with high-class contributions from Dutch artists, Field strikes with another exciting collection of tracks. This seventh EP provides deep cuts by the likes of Duplex, Conforce, ESHU and Counterpart.
Carl Davis – Last Decade [PLE65350-1]
New work from Carl Craig, under the moniker of Carls Davis. Sweet and versatile tracks on Planet E again!
Trus’me – The Red Remixes [PN014]
As Trus’me steers himself further into techno territory after his emergence as a champion of funk-rooted house music, this latest set of remixes further highlights how the man has impeccable taste to match his production abilities. DVS1 creates a cavernous beast out of “In The Red”, as a sumptuous metallic reverb provides the centrepiece for fluttering hats and flat kicks in a masterful exercise in techno restraint. Meanwhile Terrence Dixon proves his worth in the world of leftfield Detroitisms with a mesmerizing melodic hook and an insistent yet restrained bassline as he tackles “Shakea Body”.
